96% reduction in bacteria in a HOSPITAL environment

 

The control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) remains a challenge for healthcare providers. This involves employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem.

As a result, a wide range of infection control products and technologies are available on the market, including antimicrobial technology.

BioCote® Ltd works with equipment manufacturers, engineering silver ion technology into a variety of healthcare related products, helping them to resist the growth of bacteria and mould on their surface. Silver is an ideal antimicrobial agent because it has a high efficacy against a wide range of medically-important microorganisms and is regarded as non- toxic.

For the NHS and other healthcare providers to employ new technologies and products they need to show a demonstrable ability to contribute positively to infection control. The use of any product that claims it has antimicrobial efficacy should be supported by a robust evidence-base.

Aim

A pilot study, conducted at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, investigated to what extent BioCote® antimicrobial products can reduce microbial contamination in a healthcare environment.

In independent laboratory tests, BioCote® antimicrobial protected materials regularly demonstrate reductions in counts of E. coli and S. aureus greater than 99%, compared with untreated samples.

The aim of this study was to determine to what degree this high level of antimicrobial efficacy could be achieved in a real-life hospital environment.

Study

Two outpatient units provided the environments for this 18 month pilot study. Unit A was refurbished with BioCote® treated products including blinds, tiles, door handles, sack holders and light switches and also a number of untreated products. A similar, refurbished outpatient ward containing untreated items (Unit B), served as a control.

Both outpatient units were similar in terms of volume of people, layout and floor-surface area and were subjected to standard cleaning practice. Both were allowed to function for 12 months before swabbing commenced.

Swabs were collected over a five month period from BioCote® treated and untreated products in both outpatient units. Swabs were processed for total counts of viable bacteria and results expressed as average counts of colony-forming units (CFUs).

To view the full Case Study as PDF please click here.

Inmoclinc

INMOCLINC are an experienced manufacturer of high quality products for the medical industry with a worldwide presence, and knew as a longstanding customer that Guy-Raymond would have a solution to help them realise their latest design ambitions. As you will see from the photographs displayed, INMOCLINIC combines sleek, practical design with beautiful use of colour to provide their customers with aesthetically pleasing products retaining practicality and functionality.

Find out more

BioCote®

96% reduction in bacteria in a HOSPITAL environment   The control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) remains a challenge for healthcare providers. This involves employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem. As a result, a wide range of infection

Find out more

INMOCLINC are an experienced manufacturer of high quality products for the medical industry with a worldwide presence, and knew as a longstanding customer that Guy-Raymond would have a solution to help them realise their latest design ambitions. As you will see from the photographs displayed, INMOCLINIC combines sleek, practical design with beautiful use of colour to provide their customers with aesthetically pleasing products retaining practicality and functionality.

Previously, we had supplied INMOCLINC with our GRX125 (White, RAL 9003) for a range of trolleys. For their new range, as well as requiring some conductive castors, INMOCLINC also wanted a range of interchangeable coloured wheel discs to complement their colourful designs. Once we had received samples from INMOCLINC of the four colours required, we were able to liaise with our supplier of coloured masterbatch to offer an exact colour match.  However, there was another small issue to be resolved. Our conductive castors normally have a yellow dot on the wheel disc to differentiate them from non-conductive castors, this raised a potential problem with the interchangeable coloured discs as not all of the castors were required to be conductive. Following talks with their designated Sales Manager and our in house research and development team, we swiftly reached a solution by proposing that the castor’s top cap be moulded in yellow, so regardless of potential wheel disc changes, the conductive castors could still be easily recognised therefore maintaining safety in certain hospital environments. At Guy-Raymond, we pride ourselves on the attention we give to each order and each specification, attention to detail equals quality. As well as the satisfaction we get from fulfilling a specification, it was also wonderful to see our products featured on such beautiful designs.

Coloured castors

Inmoclinc

INMOCLINC are an experienced manufacturer of high quality products for the medical industry with a worldwide presence, and knew as a longstanding customer that Guy-Raymond would have a solution to help them realise their latest design ambitions. As you will see from the photographs displayed, INMOCLINIC combines sleek, practical design with beautiful use of colour to provide their customers with aesthetically pleasing products retaining practicality and functionality.

Find out more

BioCote®

96% reduction in bacteria in a HOSPITAL environment   The control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) remains a challenge for healthcare providers. This involves employing a combination of infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, cleaning, training and the adoption of new technologies, to tackle the problem. As a result, a wide range of infection

Find out more